Future Shock Blog

Minor League Update: Games of June 6

Olt is the hottest hitter in the minors, slugging seven home runs in his last five days to up his triple-slash line to .316/.416/.641, and it's time to start figuring out what to do with him. He's clearly not getting to Texas at the hot corner with Adrian Beltre signed long term, and while he's playing first base once in a while, it's certainly not enough to think that's where the Rangers see his path at this time. Although with the recent struggles of Mitch Moreland, it's at least something to think about.

Matt Den Dekker, OF, Mets (Double-A Binghamton): 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, R, BB. Big strikeout rate (60 in 220 ABs) makes one wonder how long he can keep it up; 9-for-15 in last four games and .318/.382/.545 in 54 games.

Oscar Taveras, OF, Cardinals (Double-A Springfield): 2-for-5, HR (12), 2 R, 2 RBI, K. Has pulled out of mini-slump with seven hits and two home runs in last two games; .318/.370/.588 overall and still 19 for two more week.

Regarding Taveras, is there a precedent for what he's done the last season-plus? I know that he had the highest minor league average for several decades last season, but has there been a 19 year-old w/ contact and power skills like his in recent memory?

Justin Upton's 2007 season @ AA might be a good comparison. Both were 19 and showed elite K/BB ratios - albeit Upton had more of each. It'd be incredible if Taveras turned out to be an Upton type of talent.

Regarding Concepcion, a few reports have stated that he's apparently not working with his full arsenal (focusing on developing his fastball), and that if he was, he'd be performing much better. Feel free to judge the validity of that statement.